Myrmecophily is well documented in the larvae of some species of
Lycaeindae (the blues, coppers or hairstreaks). That is, a symbiotic
relationship exists between butterfly larva and ants. The ants
receive a honey-dew exudate produced by glands on the larva and in return
afford protection to the larva from prey and parasites. This type of
relationship is called "Myrmecophilous" or "ant-liking".

In some cases, the symbiotic relationship and modified and in fact the butterfly
larvae eat the ants immature, yet the ants continue to tolerate them. This
type of ant relationship is called "Myrmecophageous" or "ant-eating".

Learn more about these relationship through database searches on ant names
and the types of associations that occur.

Search on the Common Name or Scientific Name of a Butterfly to find out
which ants it lives with and whether it is a "Myrmecophilous" or a
"Myrmecophageous" relationship.